The Virtual 5.0 Challenge has been extended through November
We set an aggressive fundraising goal of $50,000 for the Challenge. As of mid-October we raised more than 55% of our goal, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors who supported our participants in their many challenge goals, ranging from walking to cycling to jumping jacks.
Together we can meet this challenge, and we are confident we will meet our goal.
Why does PCAS need money when our programming is on hold? We love to share stories of our athletes, volunteers, supporters and our programs. But we seldom write about our fund-raising and what it takes to run PCAS. We have monthly operating expenses which are a combination of fixed and variable expenses, including rent, business insurance, salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, and internet subscriptions, to name a few.
This year more than ever it is important we all look to do what we can, and ask our friends and families to do the same. We are faced with the shortfall of income from our cancelled programs, the Cinco de Mayo, the BAYADA Regatta Ad Book and regular donations from a few key donors. And since going virtual, we suspended all participant fees for our virtual programs. While these fees never covered all of our expenses, it is one source of income we had been able to count on in the past.
We have confidence that PCAS will continue to be not only a viable organization but a thriving one, because of the commitment of our community of athletes, staff, volunteers and donors. We just need to continue to spread the word about what we do and to encourage contributions from every source we can find. Thank you for being part of the PCAS community.
(Contributor: Meg Jones)
PCAS PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Lauren Shipman
Lauren Shipman is an athlete in every sense of the word. She is a natural and enthusiastic competitor, and if there is a new and interesting sport to try, she is first in line!
Lauren became involved with PCAS over twenty years ago when she was still in elementary school. Back then, she and her parents attended an adaptive sports demonstration, where she first tried handcycling. It was a great fit because she was physically capable of doing it and she really enjoyed it. That led to her regular participation with PCAS where she learned how to bike with the help of “amazing PCAS instructors”. A friend gave Lauren her handcycle so she was able to bike on Kelly Drive during the weekends while her parents walked.
One thing led to another, and Lauren discovered our adaptive ski program. She was eager to try it, but her mother wasn’t so sure it would be her cup of tea. Instead of dropping Lauren off and leaving to take care of errands like they typically would, her parents hunkered down in the lodge thinking she would be back after the first half hour because it was so cold.
How wrong they were! Lauren loved it from her first run. She spent three hours on Camelback, absorbing everything the instructors could teach her. When she finally came back in, she was “freezing with icicles on my jacket” but with a smile that wouldn’t leave her. She recalls, “I had the time of my life with two awesome instructors, and I got my ‘need for speed’ fix!” That was more than 15 years ago but it quickly became Lauren’s favorite activity.
Cycling and skiing are only two of the sports in which Lauren participates. With PCAS and other organizations, she is involved in indoor rock climbing, indoor skydiving, wheelchair floor hockey, adaptive surfing, tennis and golf. Not surprisingly, she’s an advocate for sports and encourages others to give it a try.
Her view is, “The sky is the limit!”, and says the “incredible volunteers” at PCAS provide not only physical assistance but encouragement and support.
“You are bound to discover that you can and will test your limits, while having a blast!”
Lauren’s talents aren’t limited to sports. Three years after graduating from Neumann University in 2015, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of working with children at the Haverford YMCA. She appreciates being able to share her love for sports with the children, and as someone who has faced challenges head on throughout her life, her attitude, athletic prowess and academic aptitude are sure to be inspiring to her young followers.
Adaptive sports helped Lauren discover things that she never thought possible because of her physical disability. She has become accustomed to the look of surprise she receives when she tells people that she, someone born with cerebral palsy, has actively participated in sports since her childhood. She thinks their shock stems from the view that much of society perceives individuals who use wheelchairs as being weak and vulnerable. How wrong they are! They have only to see Lauren Shipman on her handcycle or skis, getting her need for speed, to change their minds!
(Contributor: Andrea Pampaloni)
PCAS PROGRAMS
Virtual Seated Fitness – Combining Fitness and Fun
PCAS offers a virtual seated fitness class every Thursday at 5 pm, via Zoom. I recently attended the class, which is taught by physical therapist and lifelong dance artist Laura Baehr.
The class, regularly attended by 8-10 PCAS athletes, is upbeat and challenging. Best of all, it is fun, as evidenced by the smiles on everyone’s faces as they build upper body strength with fitness bands, boxing moves, weights, and more.
I caught up with Laura after class and asked her a few questions about the class, herself, and her students.
What is your background?
I'm a physical therapist by training, lifelong dance artist, experienced private and group movement teacher, and rehabilitation scientist (in training). I am passionate about making space for anyone and everyone to enjoy living through the art and science of human movement. My PhD area of study is focused on the biopsychosocial impact of physical activity following spinal cord injury. I aim to highlight the academic pursuit of physical practices, in both theoretical and practical settings. I'm part teacher, part advocate, part practitioner, part scientist, and wholly dedicated to sharing the joy of movement.
What is your goal for the class?
My goal is to create joyful embodiment opportunities, especially in the virtual environment. I believe that we can create community and build strength and confidence at home, while taking advantage of the flexibility that technology has to offer. In seated fitness, we specifically work holistically on mobility, stability, cardio, and strength.
What changes have you seen in the students?
I've taught seated fitness for 3 months. In this time, I've noticed the class' strength, balance, and coordination of mind and body improve significantly. This is especially evident during dynamic activities like weight shifting farther away from our centers, or switching speed during cardio circuits with minimal effort! I've also noticed great consistency in our class. We have many regulars, but also word has traveled fast! We've had a few new friends join in too, especially since the class time has shifted to 5 pm.
What feedback have you gotten so far?
Overall, feedback from current participants is that it's "really fun," "tough", and "a great way to decompress." I have heard repeatedly, both in my research and anecdotally, that seated fitness classes generally are not challenging enough. But I can promise, you will smile, sweat, and get your heart and muscles pumping in this class!
If you’d like to build your upper body strength, unwind after a long day, and have a lot of fun, contact Judy Morrison.
(Contributor: Irene McKnight)
Upcoming Events
PLEASE NOTE:
Pending further notice, all in-person programs are paused.
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